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Athletic Director Mark Kulakowski: A Familiar Face to All and Facilities All Brought Together 

When I was a senior in high school, I had no idea what direction I wanted to go in, as most people could say. What I did know was that I had a passion for sports as that is one of the things that I mainly talked about. I knew I wanted to go into the sports field, however I did not know exactly what I wanted to do. Making my way through freshman year, I started as an exercise science major and then traveled along into switching my majors now entering the sports management world. Taking on a summer internship with the North Shore Navigators was interesting and knowledgeable, but I knew I needed more meat with the work I was doing, I needed more hands-on experience in order to get a feel for what my future is planning to look like. Although he may not be a professor here at Endicott College, there was one familiar face that inspired me from the first day I met him while doing bat testing for the baseball team. Little did I know he would have a great impact on my life guiding me in the right direction towards my future.

Mark Kulakowski otherwise known as “Kula,” is the Associate Athletic Director here on the beautiful campus of Endicott College or otherwise known as “the nest.” Kula has been in his position of being an Associate Athletic Director for 22 years in which he oversees all of the gameday operation facilities, ROTC liaison and day to day operations on the campus of Endicott College. He has been a familiar face to all around him and there is not a day that goes by that he does not say hi or gives a smile to someone, whether it is a student, faculty or staff member. He has brought such a friendly and bright attitude and atmosphere to Endicott College and has definitely played a huge role in making what the athletic department is today. Constantly changing, repairing and improving the facilities, Kula always has the best interest in not only what he thinks would make the school better as a whole, but looks out for the students and has thoughts in the back of his head of what would make them happy. “I love Endicott, and I love the people, and I am a people person.” - Mark Kulakowski.

“I started the football program here as an assistant coach as well as I have coached softball at the same time and I did this for 10 years, then stayed another 6 years coaching softball. I worked my way up from a coordinator to an Associate Athletic Director and kept on climbing,” stated Kula when asked about how he got to where he is today. He then continued on and said, “I’ve seen and done a bunch of different things, so it’s just been a great experience. It's pretty impressive because a lot of people don’t get to stay, and really say, they love what they do, so I find myself extremely blessed.” 

Kula completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in which he obtained a major in history and a minor in education. Soon after graduating from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth he went on to complete his graduate degree in leadership here at Endicott College. Kula knew he was made out to be working in the sports industry as he continues to do what he loves on a daily basis. 

Kula brings an exceptional amount of determination and pride in his work. He is a perfectionist and wants everything to be done with the most amount of perfection and detail as they can rather than half fasting it. Even though Kula does not have a day to day routine, he makes sure everyday by the end of his work day that everything gets done in a fashionably and timely manner and that he provides the equipment and resources needed so others can succeed in their jobs. The facilities here at Endicott College would not be what they are today without Kula putting every blood, sweat and tear into his job.

The Post Center is located near most of the athletic fields here at Endicott College. This building hosts the Sports Science, Fitness, and Athletic Training Center. Opened in September 1999 a lot has changed since then. From going to classrooms, training rooms, labs, offices, dance, weight, and group exercise rooms, in 2010 there were renovations done in which Endicott completed a 2,400 square foot addition to the existing structure. This is the place to be whether it is learning in a classroom, completing work study, or even just hanging out, using the facilities this building has to offer, and going to get a good workout in the gym, the Post Center has all of the needs necessary to enjoy campus a little bit more. 

One of the gyms that Endicott has is its strength and conditioning room which is strictly for athletes only. This room is designed so athletes during on and off season can workout in which they strengthen and condition their bodies no matter what season they are in. Endicott’s very own strength and conditioning coach and run by none other than Jack Dustin. Jack brings a friendly, goofy personality that everyone loves and everyone looks up to him as a role model. Jack oversees all of the athletes as well as coaches them by making sure they are performing the best exercise needed for their body and sport, as well as making sure nobody gets hurt. Dustin is committed to the success of his athletes and the physical and mental goals that they set for themselves. 

Part of the Strength and Conditioning program here at Endicott College is the Athletes. Strength and Conditioning is not all about seriousness but athletes tend to have a little fun here and there. During halloween time the athletes may dress up in whatever they desire as long as they get a good lift. Athletes are not only challenging themselves, but challenging their peers as well because at the end of the day they are on the same team and want everyone to be the best that they can be. 

Endicotts hockey program is truly something that nobody ever forgets. Athletes definitely put on a show at the Raymond J. Bourque Arena and the reason the athletes are able to skate is because of the staff members that make sure everything runs smoothly. Mark Kulakowski has interns that meet team buses, show the opposing team locker rooms, check in the refs, perform ticket sales and crowd control. The interns are overseed by Mark in which he prepares them for the challenging day ahead of time. With weekly meetings between all of his staff members and interns that Mark goes to, he never lets anyone struggle as he states that “he is always here for whoever and whenever anybody needs him.” Kula makes sure that the rink is cleaned and ice is constantly being made for the hockey players to play on especially for the CCC championship matches that were hosted at Endicott. Kula states “my job is not easy but it certainly is rewarding at the end of the day seeing all the smiling faces satisfied with the entertainment they have been brought.” 

Endicotts Baseball Program is truly one of a kind. Run by Coach Haley he takes pride in his team, making sure that their academics are just as up to par as the teams athletics. Haley does not let any baseball player participate in baseball if they have a GPA under a 2.9. With these high standards, the athletes perform to their fullest potential on and off the field. Endicott’s baseball program has a grand total of 8 times CCC championships. Their outstanding record season after season is something that other teams watch out for. Haley loves the team and loves the boys as he takes pride in what he does and is determined to make the team the best that he can year in and year out. 

Another Program that Mark helps set up with is Lacrosse. Lacrosse games are a lot to set up as Mark has to make sure the time keepers know what they are doing, the refs understand the rules and the players are good sports throughout the whole time. He also oversees the crowd and crowd control them just in case things tend to get a little Rowdy. He makes sure that all of the interns and student workers throughout the game know what they are doing with full confidence. Mark never lets anyone do anything without showing them and having them feel like they are not confident in what they are doing. 

The Macdonald Gymnasium is partially where the indoor sports compete. Between men and womens volleyball and mens and womens basketball, there is a lot of competition that brings a rowdy crowd to this gymnasium. Mark makes sure the gym is set up with the correct equipment needed, the right amount of student workers, and makes sure everything is ready to go. He puts out barricades to separate the athletes and the crowd in order to make sure that everything is run in a smooth manner and nobody loses control.

Taking a look is where all the athletics sprout from. Even though there are a ton of athletes that are located within this building, there are also regular students that use the facilities. Between a smoothie shop, the gym, classes and building there is something for everyone. Mark's office is located in the gym on the first floor and students are not afraid to stop by and say hello just because of how friendly Mark is and how excited he is to see the students.

[sophiasblog26]

Athletic Director Mark Kulakowski: A Familiar Face To All and Facilities All Brought Together

When I was a senior in high school, I had no idea what direction I wanted to go in, as most people could say. What I did know was that I had a passion for sports as that is one of the things that I mainly talked about. I knew I wanted to go into the sports field, however I did not know exactly what I wanted to do. Making my way through freshman year, I started as an exercise science major and then traveled along into switching my majors now entering the sports management world. Taking on a summer internship with the North Shore Navigators was interesting and knowledgeable, but I knew I needed more meat with the work I was doing, I needed more hands-on experience in order to get a feel for what my future is planning to look like. Although he may not be a professor here at Endicott College, there was one familiar face that inspired me from the first day I met him while doing bat testing for the baseball team. Little did I know he would have a great impact on my life guiding me in the right direction towards my future.

Mark Kulakowski otherwise known as “Kula,” is the Associate Athletic Director here on the beautiful campus of Endicott College or otherwise known as “the nest.” Kula has been in his position of being an Associate Athletic Director for 22 years in which he oversees all of the gameday operation facilities, ROTC liaison and day to day operations on the campus of Endicott College. He has been a familiar face to all around him and there is not a day that goes by that he does not say hi or gives a smile to someone, whether it is a student, faculty or staff member. He has brought such a friendly and bright attitude and atmosphere to Endicott College and has definitely played a huge role in making what the athletic department is today. Constantly changing, repairing and improving the facilities, Kula always has the best interest in not only what he thinks would make the school better as a whole, but looks out for the students and has thoughts in the back of his head of what would make them happy. “I love Endicott, and I love the people, and I am a people person.” - Mark Kulakowski.

“I started the football program here as an assistant coach as well as I have coached softball at the same time and I did this for 10 years, then stayed another 6 years coaching softball. I worked my way up from a coordinator to an Associate Athletic Director and kept on climbing,” stated Kula when asked about how he got to where he is today. He then continued on and said, “I’ve seen and done a bunch of different things, so it’s just been a great experience. It's pretty impressive because a lot of people don’t get to stay, and really say, they love what they do, so I find myself extremely blessed.” 

Kula completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in which he obtained a major in history and a minor in education. Soon after graduating from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth he went on to complete his graduate degree in leadership here at Endicott College. Kula knew he was made out to be working in the sports industry as he continues to do what he loves on a daily basis. 

Kula brings an exceptional amount of determination and pride in his work. He is a perfectionist and wants everything to be done with the most amount of perfection and detail as they can rather than half fasting it. Even though Kula does not have a day to day routine, he makes sure everyday by the end of his work day that everything gets done in a fashionably and timely manner and that he provides the equipment and resources needed so others can succeed in their jobs. The facilities here at Endicott College would not be what they are today without Kula putting every blood, sweat and tear into his job.

The Post Center is located near most of the athletic fields here at Endicott College. This building hosts the Sports Science, Fitness, and Athletic Training Center. Opened in September 1999 a lot has changed since then. From going to classrooms, training rooms, labs, offices, dance, weight, and group exercise rooms, in 2010 there were renovations done in which Endicott completed a 2,400 square foot addition to the existing structure. This is the place to be whether it is learning in a classroom, completing work study, or even just hanging out, using the facilities this building has to offer, and going to get a good workout in the gym, the Post Center has all of the needs necessary to enjoy campus a little bit more. 

One of the gyms that Endicott has is its strength and conditioning room which is strictly for athletes only. This room is designed so athletes during on and off season can workout in which they strengthen and condition their bodies no matter what season they are in. Endicott’s very own strength and conditioning coach and run by none other than Jack Dustin. Jack brings a friendly, goofy personality that everyone loves and everyone looks up to him as a role model. Jack oversees all of the athletes as well as coaches them by making sure they are performing the best exercise needed for their body and sport, as well as making sure nobody gets hurt. Dustin is committed to the success of his athletes and the physical and mental goals that they set for themselves. 

Part of the Strength and Conditioning program here at Endicott College is the Athletes. Strength and Conditioning is not all about seriousness but athletes tend to have a little fun here and there. During halloween time the athletes may dress up in whatever they desire as long as they get a good lift. Athletes are not only challenging themselves, but challenging their peers as well because at the end of the day they are on the same team and want everyone to be the best that they can be.

Endicotts hockey program is truly something that nobody ever forgets. Athletes definitely put on a show at the Raymond J. Bourque Arena and the reason the athletes are able to skate is because of the staff members that make sure everything runs smoothly. Mark Kulakowski has interns that meet team buses, show the opposing team locker rooms, check in the refs, perform ticket sales and crowd control. The interns are overseed by Mark in which he prepares them for the challenging day ahead of time. With weekly meetings between all of his staff members and interns that Mark goes to, he never lets anyone struggle as he states that “he is always here for whoever and whenever anybody needs him.” Kula makes sure that the rink is cleaned and ice is constantly being made for the hockey players to play on especially for the CCC championship matches that were hosted at Endicott. Kula states “my job is not easy but it certainly is rewarding at the end of the day seeing all the smiling faces satisfied with the entertainment they have been brought.” 

Endicotts Baseball Program is truly one of a kind. Run by Coach Haley he takes pride in his team, making sure that their academics are just as up to par as the teams athletics. Haley does not let any baseball player participate in baseball if they have a GPA under a 2.9. With these high standards, the athletes perform to their fullest potential on and off the field. Endicott’s baseball program has a grand total of 8 times CCC championships. Their outstanding record season after season is something that other teams watch out for. Haley loves the team and loves the boys as he takes pride in what he does and is determined to make the team the best that he can year in and year out. 

Another Program that Mark helps set up with is Lacrosse. Lacrosse games are a lot to set up as Mark has to make sure the time keepers know what they are doing, the refs understand the rules and the players are good sports throughout the whole time. He also oversees the crowd and crowd control them just in case things tend to get a little Rowdy. He makes sure that all of the interns and student workers throughout the game know what they are doing with full confidence. Mark never lets anyone do anything without showing them and having them feel like they are not confident in what they are doing. 

The Macdonald Gymnasium is partially where the indoor sports compete. Between men and womens volleyball and mens and womens basketball, there is a lot of competition that brings a rowdy crowd to this gymnasium. Mark makes sure the gym is set up with the correct equipment needed, the right amount of student workers, and makes sure everything is ready to go. He puts out barricades to separate the athletes and the crowd in order to make sure that everything is run in a smooth manner and nobody loses control. 

Taking a look is where all the athletics sprout from. Even though there are a ton of athletes that are located within this building, there are also regular students that use the facilities. Between a smoothie shop, the gym, classes and building there is something for everyone. Mark's office is located in the gym on the first floor and students are not afraid to stop by and say hello just because of how friendly Mark is and how excited he is to see the students.